'Kiki’s Delivery Service' live-action TV series in development at BBC and Kadokawa

BBC Studios, Kadokawa and Wheel in Motion are developing live-action 'Kiki’s Delivery Service' TV series

A live-action television adaptation of Kiki’s Delivery Service is in development through a partnership between BBC Studios Kids & Family, U.K.-based production company Wheel in Motion and Japan’s Kadokawa Corporation.

The project marks the first live-action television adaptation of Eiko Kadono’s beloved novel series and is planned as a 10-episode production, with each episode running for 30 minutes. The adaptation will primarily draw from the first book in Kadono’s six-volume series.

The story follows 13-year-old witch Kiki, who leaves her family home and travels to the coastal town of Koriko.

There, she launches a delivery service while building new friendships and learning to navigate life independently.

Screenwriter Irena Brignull has been attached to write the series. Her previous credits include The Boxtrolls, Skellig and The Little Prince.

First published in Japan in 1985 by Fukuinkan Shoten Publishers, Kiki’s Delivery Service has sold millions of copies worldwide.

The story gained international recognition through Studio Ghibli’s 1989 animated film adaptation directed by Miyazaki Hayao. The new television project coincides with the 40th anniversary of the original book series.

Grainne McNamara of BBC Studios Kids & Family said the company was “thrilled” to help bring the story to a new generation of viewers on a global platform.

Alexi Wheeler of Wheel in Motion described the opportunity to adapt the story as a live-action series as “a dream come true and an absolute honor”.

Takeo Kodera, director of international co-productions at Kadokawa, said the partnership was a fitting way to celebrate the book series’ 40th anniversary.

He added that the U.K. creative team had worked closely with Kadono and that the results would appeal to family audiences worldwide.

Kadono also welcomed the adaptation, saying Kiki was about to begin “another adventure into a new world” and expressing confidence in the project.